FLORENCE, Ala. – For the first ttime in Atlantic Sun Women's Soccer Championship history, an eighth-seeded team advanced in the tournament after Queens outlasted #5 EKU on Thursday. The Royals were ultimately able to earn the win in a 4-2 shootout victory and move into the quarterfinal round.

Shortly into the second match of the 2023 Championship First Round, Queens' Laney Newnam earned a red card that left the Royals shorthanded for the remainder of the contest. EKU outshot the Royals 11-0 in the first half but the Royals' Third Team All-ASUN goalkeeper Erica Turner kept the Royals in the match with five saves.

In the second half, EKU’s offense kept the pressure on the Royals as the Colonels saw two shots and three corner kicks within 15 minutes of the half. EKU’s ball movement kept the Royals on their toes which came with a header that went over the net by Kylie Fitzgerald. Queens had their first good look at the goal in the 65th minute by Connie Dutton but was stopped by Marah Krick with a diving save. Both team's goalies' impeccable defense that led to 11 saves combined in 90 minutes meant the game moved into overtime. 

In the first overtime, the Royals had the best opportunity for either team after Queens got a shot off a free kick that went off target. EKU’s Nerea de Diego ended to 10 minutes of overtime with a shot that went high over the crossbar. 

The Colonels kept the momentum they ended the first 10 minutes of overtime with as Chiara Premolia got a shot in the 101st minute followed by Nerea de Diego three minutes after her teammate's first attempt although both attempts were unsuccessful as teams headed into a shootout.

Turner gave up the first PK to EKU’s Carly Dean before Queens’ Hilda Svensson and Amy Hare scored to go up 2-1. Kaia Griffin's goal wasn’t enough for the Colonels as Luice Platt gave the Royals a 4-2 advantage. Queens' first trip to the ASUN Championship continues on Sunday at 1 PM CT when the team faces #4 North Alabama.